Mideast News Round Up for 7-11-8
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Middle East News Round Up
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For
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7-11-8
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Iran Conducts 2nd Day of Missile Tests
Iran continues its war exercises for a third day, with another day of firing ballistic missiles. It is the second day in a row that that Iran has launched Shehab-3 missiles in testing. Thursday's test launches were conducted along the Persian Gulf shoreline instead of deep in the middle of Iran.
The new location for test firing is believed to be a signal to the US and Israel that Iran is serious about retaliating should any attack be carried out against its nuclear program. Iran has repeatedly warned that in the event of an attack, it would strike back. Most recently, a close aide to the Supreme Ayatollah warned that Tel Aviv would be the first target of a ballistic missile reprisal attack followed closely by attacks on US naval vessels in the Persian Gulf along with oil tanker traffic. Also added were the implications that attacks would be carried out worldwide against US interests. More details on the latest missile tests, LINK HERE.
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Iran Posts "Doctored" Photos
Of Missile Launches
Iran's news agency posted "doctored" photos of the first day of missile launches. According to photo experts, one photo posted had apparently been "photo-shopped" - adding a fake missile launch to apparnetly cover up the fact that one missile failed to launch. That photo was later pulled down and a new one posted. For more details on this story, LINK HERE.
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Sec of State Rice Says:
US Will Defend Israel & Gulf
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice responded to news accounts of Iranian war games exercises for a third day including two days of missile launchings. Rice forcefully warned Iran that the US will NOT ignore threats and will take any action necessary to defend America's friends and interests in the Persian Gulf.
Rice was responding after a second day of missile firings and renewed war rhetoric from Iranian officials. Rice's comments were signals to Iran that the US will not tolerate dismiss the current provocative measures as was being demonstrated now by Iran. She warned that the US has the capability to counter such activity. Rice stated:, "I don't think the Iranians are too confused, either, about the capability and the power of the United States to do exactly that."
The Bush Administration has steadfastly pushed for diplomacy despite calls for military action in some quarters by the "neo-cons." Rice has been a major figure in the Administration, pushing for diplomacy instead of military conflict. Rice's comments suggest that perhaps the diplomatic efforts were nearing an end, should the Iranians persist in their current activities.
President Bush has consistently maintained that all options remain on the table, including the military options. Some of those options include making available to US allies new military weapons capable of countering Iranian military threats. For more on this story, LINK HERE.
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Israel Hints Readiness
To Attack Iran
Israel's Defense Minister, Ehud Barak hinted on Thursday, that Israel is ready to attack Iran. He did so by referring to Israel's history of readiness to attack "when its vital security interests are at stake." Barak added, "the reactions of (Israel's) enemies need to be taken into consideration as well."
Israel pre-emptively struck Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor at Osirik in 1981 with an air strike that obliterated the Iraqi nuclear program. It was a blow that Hussein's government never recovered from. Last September, Israel destroyed a Syrian nuclear facility. For more, LINK HERE.
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Israel Reveals New Jets
Capable Of Attacking Iran
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US Official Says...
Iran Fired Only 1 Missile Thursday
A Pentagon official said on Thursday that Iran's claim that it fired several missiles for a second day of testing was likely wrong. Based on US surveillance, only one missile launch was detected. More details, LINK HERE.
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OPEC Leader Warns
Against Military Clash w/ Iran
If War, Sky is Limit on Oil Prices
The Secretary-General of OPEC warned on Thursday that oil prices would see an "unlimited" increase in the price of oil should any nation launch a military conflict against Iran.
Abdalla Salem El-Badri noted that in the event of conflict with Iran that resulted in Iran's production being halted, other OPEC producers simply couldn't increase their production to make up for the loss of Iran's production. Iran is the second largest oil producing nation in OPEC, just behind Saudi Arabia. Iran produces about 4 million barrels of oil daily
The OPEC leader's comments come in the midst of hawkish rhetoric and speculation about Israel and Iran moving towards conflict. Iran has launched military exercises for three days this week including two days of ballistic missile testing. The saber-rattling has been extended by remarks coming from both Iranian and Israeli leaders in recent days. For more on the oil situation, LINK HERE.
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Israel To USA:
Time Is Running Out on Iran
Israeli Defense Minister Goes To D.C. Monday
Warning That Time Is Running Out on Iran
In a series of consultations apparently aimed at coordinating policies against the Iranian nuclear threat, Defense Minister Ehud Barak will head to the US on Monday for talks at the Pentagon, days after Mossad chief Meir Dagan was in Washington for meetings with key intelligence officials. Sources say Israel is urgently trying to convince the US that Iran is closer to passing the nuclear threshold than Washington believes.
Barak will use a 3 day visit to meet with top US officials including Defense Secretary Gates, Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Cond Rice, and Nat'l Security Advisor Hadley. Barak is also expected to meet with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He reportedly wants to meet with President Bush but it is not clear whether or not he will be permitted to have such a meeting. It is expected that Barak will argue that time is running out for an attack on Iran.
The Jerusalem Post is reporting that according to Israeli government sources, it would be an exaggeration to imagine the consultations would involve drawing up operational plans for military action against Iran. The Post's source indicated that the Israeli government has made no decision on the matter and that Israel was unlikely to take unilateral action. The Post goes on to reveal comments by various Israeli officials on the evolving situation including Israeli leadership reactions to the latest Iranian missile tests. Read the full article, LINK HERE.
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Iranian Propoganda Claims?:
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Israeli warplanes in Iraq
Training With US for Strike?
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Jerusalem Post Also Cites Iraqi News Outlet
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An Iraqi news service claims that the US is allowing Israeli war jets to use US airbases in Iraq and fly over Iraqi airspace for a likely attack against Iran.
According to the Iraqi news-service, some warplanes belonging to Israeli air force are using US military bases in Iraq to land and take off. The source for the claim allegedly is the Iraqi Nahrainnet news network, which supposedly cites informed sources close to Iraq's Defense Ministry.
The report claims that activities and traffic of warplanes- especially at nights- have increased of late at the US air bases in Nasiriya southeast of Baghdad and Haditha a city in the western Iraq province of Al Anbar.
The report said that US fighters, cargo planes, helicopters and unmanned planes have intensified their flights in the last three weeks.
Iranian news outlets are widely reporting this story and claim this to be evidence that these activities are connected to plans for joint Israeli-US training, preparation and coordination to launch an air raid against Iran's nuclear plants. To view Iraqi Press Report, LINK HERE. For the Jerusalem Post story, LINK HERE.
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OIL PRICES REBOUND $5
On War Jitters
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IDF Prepares for End to Gaza Truce
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1 Arab Nation Tells Israel
Okay To Attack Iran
Diplomats from an undisclosed Arab nation have told Israeli leaders that their nation is not opposed to a military strike by Israel against Iran.
The diplomats stated that they were worried about Iran's growing influence in the region, especially among the Shiite minority populations in primarily Sunni-sect nations.
The same diplomats confided to Israel that other Arab natinos were equally concerned and worried about Iran's growing power and fearful that their own governments might collapse under Iranian influence.
Israel's Haaretz Daily reports that Iran's recent actions have Gulf state leaders worried and are seeking American protection against Iran. The thought is "If this is how Iran threatens when it doesn't have nuclear weapons, what will it do when its nuclear program ripens?"
For more on this story, LINK HERE.
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Israeli PM A Step Away
From Being Indicted
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Being Interrogated Again For 3rd Time
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